Cowboys fans are floored draft bust made 53-man roster after awful preseason

The Dallas Cowboys did not rest on their laurels after signing CeeDee Lamb to a contract extension. Not even close. Granted, that decision was out of their hands as they raced to submit their initial 53-man roster before Tuesday's 3 p.m. CT deadline.

Most of the roster turned out as expected, but there were some surprises. In a move that shocked fans, the Cowboys traded tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in lieu of sending him to waivers.

In addition, fans were disappointed that edge rusher Carl Lawson got released. While Lawson could make his way back to the roster via the practice squad, Dallas' free-agent visit with Tyus Bowser hints they are content if Lawson does not return.

Elsewhere, it was a relief that rookie receiver Ryan Flournoy and fan darling Deuce Vaughn made the roster. That meant the end of the road for fellow running back Royce Freeman, but the Cowboys made another decision that is markedly more egregious than cutting Freeman loose.

Cowboys fans are in disbelief OT Matt Waletzko made 53-man roster

Can we get a wellness check on offensive line coach Mike Solari, please? How on earth did Waletzko make this roster?

A fifth-round pick in 2022, Waletzko put forth a pitiful blocking display in preseason. His PFF grades weren't awful, but he allowed seven pressures, two hits and one sack on 127 pass-blocking snaps. He also committed an astounding three penalties. There were snaps where Waletzko completely whiffed on his assignment.

There is simply no universe in which Waletzko deserved a spot over Josh Ball. It's true that most Cowboys fans wrote Ball off. However, the discarded former draft pick played out of his mind in preseason.

Ball earned a 79.2 PFF player grade while playing all across the line at left guard (90 snaps), right guard (40 snaps) and left tackle (25 snaps). He allowed just two pressures and not a single QB hit or sack. He played his way onto the roster.

Maybe Dallas thought it couldn't keep another guard. Asim Richards and T.J. Bass made the roster as the projected top backup guards. Chuma Edoga is also expected to land on IR to start the season, however. With no Edoga, Richards is likely the de facto top backup tackle.

Is there really a need for Waletzko? Perhaps the Cowboys are merely playing a numbers game and plan to cut Waletzko after more roster shuffling. Whatever the case, it is downright impossible to comprehend why Waletzko is on the initial 53 after the film he turned in this preseason.

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